Uinta Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 16 JUL 2014

I had my B-game on for Uinta Brewing Company.  I was really looking forward to coming here since I am such a big fan of beers like Hop Notch IPA and Baba Black Lager that I’ve had back home in Ohio.  I pulled up to the brewery a few minutes after 7:00.  When I walked in the bartender informed me that they closed at 7:00.  Thankfully she took pity on me and let me order a beer.  I asked for her recommendation, and she said her current favorite was the White IPA (at 3.2% ABW on draft).  Cloudy appearance, huge hop aroma, tasted great.

Draft White IPA at Uinta Brewing Company.

The tasting room appeared to be full of seasoned regulars, like what I’ve noticed at many breweries throughout my travels, but hadn’t noticed here in Utah.  Maybe local beer fans drink at home where the Utah liquor laws don’t limit them.  It was decorated with their beer awards and Uinta logo posters and athletic jerseys, with shelves loaded with board games.  Connected to the tasting room was an outdoor beer garden shaded from the Utah sun by a hop draped gazebo.  It would have been a perfect place to hang out for a while.  Unfortunately, not this time, maybe next time.

Beer garden at Uinta Brewing Company. 

Driving up, this place looked exactly like you’d expect a brewery to look.  It was located in an industrial area and had tell-tale grain storage tanks out front.  The production area seemed much larger than others that I’d visited in Utah.

View from the parking lot. 

Desert Edge Brewery at the Pub (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 15 JUL 2014

I went to this place on the recommendation of the bartender at Epic Brewing Company.  He said that Desert Edge Brewery at the Pub had been around since 1972, before the liquor laws had changed allowing serving higher ABV beers at restaurants, but that they continued to embrace the challenge of making interesting beers that adhered to the 3.2% ABW requirement for draft beers.  In fact this was the only brewery that I visited in Utah that did not also have a line of higher ABV beers.  Below is a picture of their UPA (Utah Pale Ale).  It had huge hop aroma and flavor.  The carbonation was light, but the head was perfect.  A classic session beer that took me back to the Pubs of England.  After that I had the stout from the beer engine (follow link for a description if you are not familiar with this).  Wow!  It was great.  I also had a small sample of the standard carbonated version of the beer, but it wasn’t anywhere near as good.  I really wish that more places served beer like this. 

Utah Pale Ale.

Desert Edge Brewery at the Pub is located in historic Trolley Square.  Union Pacific magnate E. H. Harriman chose the site for his state-of-the-art trolley car system. He invested $3.5 million to construct the unusual mission-style carbarn complex in 1908. Within six years, more than 144 trolleys served the valley from the site until the transit line was discontinued in 1945.  It was renovated into a shopping complex in 1972.  The brewery was visible through windows just to the right of this second floor entrance.

Entrance to Desert Edge Brewery at the Pub.

Red Rock Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 16 JUL 2014

Well, I've finally found it.  The World's Greatest Fish Sandwich!

World's Greatest Fish Sandwich!  

This was an unexpected treat.  I had paid a quick visit to Temple Square, world headquarters for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in downtown Salt Lake City while making the rounds of the vast assortment of microbreweries in Salt Lake City.  Red Rock Brewing Company was just a few blocks away so I thought I'd make the quick walk over and try it out.  I wasn't planning on a large meal, but when I saw the description on the specials menu, how could I pass.  Grilled tuna, corn salsa, avocado, and arugula - all served in a pita.  It was fantastic. Can't wait to come back.

Statue in Welcome Center at Temple Square.

Red Rock Brewing was only a few blocks away.

They had an assortment of draft beers (limited to 3.2% alcohol by weight (ABW) by Utah law) and bottled beers with higher ABW.  I went with the draft version of their India Dark Ale. This is an American-style India black IPA, dark in color with a very aggressive American hop aroma and flavor.

Epic Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 15 JUL 2014

First things first.  In Salt Lake City you have to figure out the really strange liquor (beer) laws.  Here they are as I understand them.  If you are at a bar, they can only sell draft beer at 3.2% alcohol by weight (ABW) or 4.0% alcohol by volume (ABV).  For reference a Budweiser is 5.0% ABV.  If you are at a restaurant, you are still constrained by the draft rule, but you can order bottled beer that doesn't have the same ABV requirements, but you also have to order food, and, as I understand it, you have to make a legitimate attempt to eat such said food.  

Because of these rules, this is the situation at Epic Brewing Company.  They have a restaurant.  By Utah definition, a restaurant has to have at minimum 6 seats, 2 of which are handicapped accessible. So, that is what they have at Epic Brewing Company.  It's pretty hard to see from the photo below, but there 4 chairs at the high top bar and two others at table height.  The sign outside says maximum occupancy of 9.  When I was there, the clientele included the following:  me, the Mom of the guy working the "restaurant", another guy in Salt Lake City on business (found the place by asking Siri for the best place to eat), and a local couple with their young son.

Restaurant at Epic Brewing Company.

AWESOME! Goat Cheese Sammy.

I kind of knew some of this so was planning to eat there.  What I wasn't expecting was that the food would be so good.  I ordered the Goat Cheese Sammy which included goat cheese, spinach, kalamata olives, tomato, and onions - grilled cuban style.  I have got to say that this sandwich was spectacular.  I can't wait to try to reproduce at home using our panini maker.  As you can see from the photo at right, I couldn't wait to take the picture until I'd had a few bites.


So onto the beers and more about the liquor laws.  Because I ordered food, I was entitled to 1 glass of beer and 4 samples OR 8 samples.  I of course chose the 8 samples in order to beef up my Untappd numbers.  I had the following:  Copper Cone Pale Ale, Imperial Red, Double Skull DoppelBock, Santa Cruz Brown, Saison, Utah Sage Saison, Wit Beer, and Intermountain Wheat.  Again, because of Utah liquor laws, I was only able to get two samples at a time.  I asked the bartender to bring me his favorites.  I list them as he brought them.  It was interesting to compare and contrast them as he brought them out to me.  (BTW - I should note that all of these beers were poured from bottles - remember draft beers can only be 3.2% ABW - so some were more carbonated than others).  Comments:  The first two were excellent.  A classic American Pale Ale and a hopped up Barleywine (at least that's how he described it to me).  The second two were good to contrast.  A traditional Brown Ale (but hoppy) versus a very sweet high ABV DoppelBock.  The saisons were interesting.  At first I thought that there was some heat in the Utah Sage Saison, but (after I knew the name) I noticed that the "heat" and spice was from Sage.  Who'd a thought.  Pretty darn good.  Finally, there was the comparison between an American Wheat (Intermountain) and a Belgian (Wit).  It was fun to trust the bartender.  There were probably 20 more beers, but I guess I would have had to order another meal.  Just kidding.  I am sure that wouldn't fly in Mormon Country.

Entrance:  You can by bottles of their beers as well as visit the restaurant and try some of the beers.  There's also a patio section, but it was unclear to me why anyone would want to sit outside when the temperature was 100.

By the way, there is one thing that has to be mentioned.  I knew that Epic was best known for its high gravity beers, so I asked the bartender if that is why they picked the name Epic.  No, he said.  When they original business plan was presented to the community, they were told that the brewery would be an Epic failure.  The owners decided that would be a perfect name.

State Street view of the Brewery.  They cellar some of their beers off-site.

Bad Tom Brewery (Cincinnati, Ohio) - 4 MAY 2014

Sometimes it's the combination of many factors that make a brewery experience so special.  This was the case for me during a recent visit to Bad Tom Brewing in Cincinnati, OH.  My visit coincided with the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon held annually on the first Sunday in May.  My wife and I had joined her cousin, other relatives, and her friends and neighbors to cheer on the marathon runners at mile 17.   I know this sounds absurd, but it was actually quite tiring to watch several thousand runners/walkers as they toiled up a short, but very steep, hill.  After more than 3 hours of that, we were ready for some recuperation. We knew that we were just a short distance from Bad Tom Brewery and decided to pay it a visit.

Your first glimpse of Bad Tom Brewery may not be the most welcoming, but once inside the door, we were greeted by the incredible aroma of boiling mash and a friendly brewer.  It is interesting that in my many visits to breweries, I don't think that I have ever encountered the smell of brewing beer.  Wow!  It was awesome.  We arrived at a sort of an odd time.  The brewery had been open earlier as the marathon course (mile 19) was literally just outside the front door.  Bad Tom was open for "Kegs and Eggs" that morning featuring Bad Tom Eggs - eggs fed on the spent grains from the brewery.  That crowd had dissipated as the marathon runners had long since passed by this point (except for one lone walker that we saw courageously continuing as we pulled into the parking lot), and the official 1:00 Sunday opening had not yet arrived.

From the front door of Bad Tom Brewery:  The eventual Flying Pig Marathon winner and his pacer.

However, that was great for us.  We had the place to ourselves and were able to engage the head brewer and his assistant.  Probably my favorite part of visiting a brewery is the chance to talk to the brewer; to get a feel for what he is trying to do and what the place is all about.  We got to hear about Bad Tom (the uncle of one of the owners who was truly bad and was both baptized and hung on the same day), learn about how their emphasis was on drinkable beers not just creating the next overpowering IPA, discover the all-natural ingredients that they use (clementines in Brother Clement and cinnamon sticks and chocolate nibs in the Stout), and watch as they worked to create a red beer for distribution at UC football games this fall.

The bar area at Bad Tom Brewery with the brewing equipment behind the partial glass doors.

Picnic bench seating at Bad Tom Brewery.

My wife and I got the sampler, consisting of 6 beers for $10.  This included, Old Abe, Bad Tom, IPA, Brother Clement Belgian, Helles Lager, and Stout.  The brewer said his favorite was Old Tom, a Brown Ale, and I would have to agree.  We liked it enough that we followed the sampler with a pint of Old Tom.  However, special recognition should go to Brother Clement.  I am not usually a fan of Belgian whites, always expecting the hateful coriander that you find in a Blue Moon, but this one was different.  The clementine oranges used in this beer provide a subtle orange flavor that results in a fresh taste that would be perfect on a summer day.  I wish there were more like this.  Old Abe is a high alcohol, 10%, beer that goes down quite smoothly.  I could easily see this one getting me in trouble as you certainly don't notice the alcohol content.

Sampler at Bad Tom Brewery.

I could easily have spent the whole afternoon at Bad Tom Brewery, but were were in need of something to eat, though we were quite appreciative that they made a fresh batch of popcorn just for us - kudos for that.

Literally just a block away from Bad Tom Brewery we found Terry's Turf Club.  We'd never heard of it, but what a great discovery.  This is the kind of place that guide books for places like Chicago and New York tell you to go and here it was, new to us, in an unexpected location.  The place is hard to describe, but the pictures above certainly convey the feel of the place, however, it is the classy guy in the zoot suit taking the names at the door that gives you the first indication that this is one awesome place.  

Terry's Turf Club fish sandwich.

What a perfect day:  time with relatives and meeting new people, watching strangers take on the most incredible challenge of completing a marathon, experiencing a brewery in the best way - by talking with the brewer, and discovering a hidden gem.

Starkbier Festival, Listermann Brewing Company (Cincinnati, Ohio) - 28 MAR 2014

In general, this blog will focus on visits to breweries and brewpubs, but exceptions will be made.  The Starkbier Festival was sponsored by the Listermann Brewing Company and was held about 50 yds from the their front door.  Unlike the Mad Tree Winter Bonanza, in this case the brewery was basically off-limits to the festival goers as you weren't really supposed to carry your beer back and forth from the brewery to the festival area (naturally this didn't stop us from taking a peak).  Hopefully I'll be back soon to get the "true" brewery experience.

The idea for a Starkbier Festival goes back to the 1700s when the German monks made strong beers for their nutritional values to help them get through fasting during Lent. All of the beers present were 7.5% or higher. Continuing with this tradition, most of the beers present at the Cincinnati StarkBier Festival will be 7.5% or higher and all will be made right here in Cincinnati.  Being of German heritage, participating in Lenten fasting and abstinence, and a lover of big beers, this was too much of a good thing.

Beer List from StarkBier Fest 2014

Old fashion overhead projector listing the beers on tap
at any given time.

It's hard for me to believe, but they were selling these high alcohol beers in 16oz cups (22oz if you bought the commemorative mug).  Because of that I was only able to sample a few of the many that sounded great.  Those included:  Word, a Scotch Ale, from Ei8ht Ball Brewing, Old Abe, an Amercian Strong Ale, from Bad Tom Brewing, and Planetary IPA from Listermann Brewing Company.  All were very good and I am looking forward to separate visits to each of these breweries for a more in depth analysis.

Many volunteers, few lines for beer.

The festival was really well organized.  There were plenty of friendly volunteers (willing to let you try the beers before buying), traditional German music (while we were there), and free samples of seafood gumbo from Brew River Gastropub (you simply MUST go to this place.  The people at the festival were beyond friendly.  This was in the middle of March Madness and my wife and I were a little intimidated of wearing our University of Dayton sweatshirts at a festival just across the street from Xavier University, but lots of people came up to wish us luck as our Flyers played in the Elite Eight. We spent more time talking to strangers than the people we came with, which surely proves that this was one great event.

View from inside the tent.  Notice the beer list on the tent roof.

Lots of food trucks!

Dayton Beer Bus Tour (Dayton, Ohio) - 8 MAR 2014

On Saturday, 8 MAR 2014, 40 intrepid souls set off on the adventure of a lifetime:  87 miles traveled, 12 hours in duration, 8 Dayton area breweries, and one bad ass bus driver named Ray.  The tour was set to leave from Boston's Bistro at 10:00am. 

However, as one might imagine, a 12 hour bus tour doesn't follow a rigorous schedule.  We had plenty of time for donuts and coffee, detailed instructions (don't spill beer on the bus), and plotting our strategy for the days events before we actually set off closer to 11:00.

Boston's Bistro:  The start of it all

Boarding the Beer Bus.

All bright eyed and bushy tailed.

The Dayton Beer Bus Tour was scheduled to visit 8 of the 9 Dayton area breweries that have sprung up during the last two years including Star City Brewing Company, Lock 27 Brewing Company, Eudora Brewing Company, Dayton Beer Company, Toxic Brew Company, Fifth Street Brewpub, Yellow Springs Brewery, and Hairless Hair Brewery.

The beer on the bus went pour, pour, pour

To keep us occupied during the nearly 2 hours spent driving from location to location, a unique draft system was set up in the middle of the bus and Cat was voted Beer Wench for our tour.  Two taps provided Fat Tire - the only beer that I didn't enjoy the whole day - and a very nice Rye IPA from Stone Quarry, a local homebrewer.

First Stop:  Star City Brewing Company

Star City is located in the historic Peerless Mill in Miamisburgh, OH.

The gang's all here

Sampler tray

A certified beer judge - at least that's what his name tag proclaimed - voted Star City Brewing Company the best complete collection of beers.  My personal favorite here was the Milk Stout with the Winter Warmer a close second.  Alas, you won't be able to try that one as the keg blew a few days later and next year they plan to revise the recipe.

Second Stop:  Lock 27 Brewing Company

The first of three Dayton area brewpubs located in strip malls

A comfortable atmosphere for the brewery and gastropub

Samplers laid out on the large high top table by the front window.

It wasn't clear to me if this is the extent of their brewery

Lock 27 Brewing Company doubles as a gastropub and we were ready for some food when we arrived. Everything we ordered was very good and served surprisingly fast given that 40 hungry souls arrived all at the same time.  I really enjoyed the large high top table that looked out the front window.  It was the perfect spot for folks on the Beer Bus Tour to gather and chat.  They serve several of their own beers as well as an assortment of other craft beers on tap and a large selection of bottles.  The selection this today was perfect for a Hop Head with three different IPAs, including a memorable pepper IPA that had just the right amount of heat.

Third Stop:  Eudora Brewing Company

The second of three Dayton area brewpubs located in strip malls

Eudora brewing equipment

Eudora brew-on-premise equipment

Eudora Brewing Company is unique among the Dayton area breweries for two reasons.  First, it includes a Brew-on-Premise (BOP) operation and second, it donates a percentage of it's sales to Charity Water whose mission is help those in need of clean water throughout the world.  Each month they update their Facebook page with how much has been donated.  It's a pretty cool thing.  The BOP operation is just getting started and we had the luxury of trying out an Imperial IPA that they are still tweaking the recipe.  Very good.  In addition, there was a Chocolate Milk Porter that received rave reviews.  N.B.  All of the Stouts and Porters on the Beer Bus Tour were excellent.

Fourth Stop:  Dayton Beer Company

Not in a strip mall, but darn close to it

Got pretty crowded with 40 of us from the bus tour - guess that's why they are expanding

The Dayton Beer Company can rightly claim fame to being the first in long line of Dayton area breweries opening their doors just a little less than two years ago.  I know that because I was one of first in the door when they opened.  At this point, the Beer Bus Tour realized that they needed to pick up the pace - "Bip-Bop" - if they were going to finish what they started.

Fifth Stop:  Toxic Brew Company

Located downtown Dayton in the Oregon District

Some of the brewing equipment

A repurposed building with exposed brickwork and beams

In addition to having the best name, Toxic Brew Company also had the most memorable beer of the day for me.  I can't stop thinking about the Orange Cream IPA.  I've been dreaming of that one and can't wait to try it again.  In addition, they have a large assortment of high gravity beers and I can pretty much guarantee you that they will have a number of things different than you've ever had before.

Sixth Stop:  Fifth Street Brewpub 

Neighbors pooled their resources to start this co-op in Historic St. Anne's Hill

They are not brewing yet, but the equipment is in place

Fire pit in what will become the beer garden this summer

Fifth Street Brewpub is unique in Dayton, and pretty much unique anywhere, since it is only the second co-op brewpub in the country.  Two years ago they began to solicit members to help fund the renovation of this abandoned neighborhood building.  (Disclaimer, I am one of the member-owners).  After a slow start, they quickly gained momentum and transformed this dilapidated structure into one of the most welcoming bars you will find anywhere.  I know that I am biased, but I really love this place.  It has a great feel to it that you will recognize immediately upon walking in the door.  They aren't brewing their own beer yet, but they have a great variety of craft beers on tap including ones from local Dayton breweries.  The brewing equipment is in place and they should be brewing their own soon.  Another cool thing - which I didn't know before - is that member-owners will be able to use the brewing equipment to brew their own recipes and if they make the cut some will be served in the brewpub.  Their business model includes having 6 of their own beers and 6 guest beers on tap.  In addition, they serve some of the best pub food around - even with a kitchen that isn't yet fully operational.

Our fearless leader:  Dave Boston of Boston's Bistro
Thanks Dave!

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but we bailed after this stop.  It was after 6:00, more than 8 hours into the excursion and this was a good spot for us to meet up with our designated drivers for dinner and then to go our separate ways.  So unfortunately, I can't lay claim to being one of the Dayton Beer Bus Tour survivors, but I can claim to having a great time and looking forward to finishing the final two stops -  Yellow Springs Brewery and Hairless Hair Brewery - as well as Dayton's most recent brewery Warped Wing Brewing Company.

What a great thing for Dayton to have such a great selection of local breweries.  Throughout the day, I had many great, memorable local beers.  Not a single one that I wouldn't order again.

Seventh Stop:  Graeter's

Graeter's:  Nothing better after a day of drinking